Plank Roasting Cookbook, written by Chinook Planks, gives readers an insightful look into a style of cooking used by the Chinookan aboriginals. The cookbook begins by providing some history on cooking with planks. Readers are then given instructions on how to prepare, cook with, and maintain a cedar plank used for all recipes. This includes steps to season the plank similar to seasoning a cast iron pan. Cooking on wood allows the food to cook differently than traditional roasting or barbequing. The cookbook states “the salmon or game would slowly roast, basted by their own juices, fragranced from the cedar and alder” allowing the food being cooked to capture the rich flavor of the wood.

The cookbook offers wide range of recipes, such as a beef tenderloin dinner or an entirely vegetarian dish. It measures 8.5 inches tall, 5.5 inches wide, and contains 59 pages. It is organized by main ingredient in these sections:

• Meat: This section focuses on beef, lamb, and pork and contains great recipes for family gatherings and parties.
• Poultry: Chicken and turkey are the main ingredients throughout this section which includes a full turkey dinner and recipes for any night of the week.
• Vegetables: The final section offers vegetarian recipes that can stand alone or be a great addition to any meal.

  Each section contains plenty of recipes so finding a recipe for any occasion is easy. The skill level of the recipes change throughout the cookbook so readers of any level can enjoy what the cookbook has to offer. Overall, the Plank Roasting Cookbook gives readers a chance to try a form of cooking that is centuries old. Additionally, it gives an appreciation for different cooking techniques and a unique experience into historical cooking.